Ebenezer b



(No Model.)

B. B. SHAFER. TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.

Patented June 4, 1889. F 1 1 Figs- Fig-4- i -5- INVENTEIR:

WITNE-SES N PETER5, Pholo-Lflhognpher. Wnhinglon, v.0.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EBENFZER B. SHAFER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TELEGRAPH APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 404,507, dated June 4, 1889.

Application filed February 18, 1889. Serial No. 300,375. (No model.)

full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My present invention is an improvement of telegraph apparatus, whereby it is designed to provide a simpler system for being operated by unskilled persons than such as now used, as hereinafter fully described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved apparatus with the cover of the case removed. Fig. 2 is a section through the case 011 line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 represent side views of different forms of contact-wheels used for transmitting distinguishably different signals.

- On a shaft a, arranged horizontally or otherwise, as approved in the case b, I arrange one or more, but preferably three, toothed contact-wheels, as ed 6, insulated from said shaft and from each other, and separately connected with the battery-line f of the circuit by their respective brushes 9 and wires h, and each also having a circuit-making-and-breaking contact-brush 1', connected with a button or key j, by which connection is made with the line-Wire 7t at will by pressing said key or button into contact with the bar Z, according as the wheels of different signals or characters are to be used, said wheels being used by causing them to rotate and make one or more contacts with their respective brushes, according to the order of the signals of the code, the contact -brush of the one whose signals are to be made being at the same time maintained in electrical connection with the line-wire through the key j thereof and the bar Z.

The wheel 0, having acute teeth for the shortest contacts, makes dots; wheel (I, having broader teeth, makes short dashes, and wheel 6, having both acute and broad teeth in succession, makes alternate dots and dashes.

WVith this apparatus, which as so far described is the subject of a prior application for a patentby me, and is therefore not specifically claimed herein, I now propose to employ the ratchet-Wheel m and the key-pawl n as the means of effecting the rotation of the contactwheels in lieu of the spring-power mechanism heretofore employed, said ratchetwheel having the same number of teeth as the contact-wheels have, two contact-points of wheel 6 being considered as one tooth, and the key-pawl being so gaged that it moves said ratchet and the contact-wheels the length of the pitch of the teeth at each operation of the same by pressing down the key 0. In this instance the key-pawl is constructed with a hook end 19 that springs back over the points of the teeth of the ratchet-wheel, and the spring q is provided for causing the return movement of the key-pawl; but it is obvious that the key-pawl may be contrived in various Ways, and I do not limit myself to the arran gement represented. The brushes g serve as a brake to prevent the key-pawl from thrusting the ratchet-wheel backward. Any other brake of approved form may be provided, if desired.

IVith the thumb of the right hand holding one of the keys j in contact with the bar Z the operator works the key-pawl n by one of the fingers of said hand to transmit the signals; or he may hold the key j with the other hand, if desired. For as many signals or characters as are to be given in regular order the keypawl will be worked accordingly, with longer pauses for longer distinguishing intervals, and when the code comprises the character, of two or more of the contact-wheels the keys j will be operated in corresponding alternation. It is to be understood that the circuit includes any approved form of receiving-instrument in the central or other station. There is also an electric bells, connected for return-signals by another line-wire t and thebattery-wire f. In this example I have represented the instrument as adapted for the open circuit; but it may be arranged for the closed circuit, the only difference being that I00 the contact-Wheels shall have contact with the brushes 7; when at rest, the signals then being caused by the breaks of the circuit, instead of the contacts.

It will be seen that this simple contrivance pawl and ratchet-wheel for operating all the for the Working of the contact-wheels enables disks alike, the brushes and branch wire, and the apparatus to be provided much cheaper current-closing push-stud to each disk and and at the same time makes the operation separately connecting them in the circuit, I 5 easier to learn and carry out, and avoids care I substantially as described. and expense in keeping it in Working order. In testimonywhereof Iaffix my signature in I claim as my invention presence of two Witnesses.

The combination, in a mechanical tele- EBENEZER B. SHAFER. graph-instrument, of the series of two or more contact-wheels keyed on but insulated from the carrying; and operating shaft, the fingerlVitn esses:

W. J. MORGAN, W. B. EARLL. 

